Zero Langham | Celestiala
Three days had passed since our return from the Gotarum mission. For the most part, life had already begun returning to normal. Classes continued as usual, although the teachers seemed determined to remind us that a successful mission didn't excuse us from our responsibilities as students.
We spent most mornings learning different applications of Essence, followed by practical lessons in the afternoons. Some classes focused on combat techniques, while others were dedicated to the history surrounding Sorcerers.
Homework had also begun piling up again, one of the drawbacks of skipping school for a mission. I wasn't exactly thrilled about it.
The Gotarum mission had been exhausting enough without having to spend several hours every night writing essays and learning mandatory spells. Toho complained about it considerably more than I did, probably because he spent most of our study sessions trying to convince me that his answers were correct.
Despite the return to our normal routine, I couldn't completely forget what had happened in Gotarum.
Terra's words continued to remain in the back of my mind: 'I want to be the kind of Sorcerer who saves people first.'
I had spent the past few days thinking about what she said, although I never brought it up again. Neither of us had really needed to. There were some things that didn't require another conversation.
Tonight, however, wasn't about Gotarum. Tonight was supposed to be a reward.
I walked beside Toho as we made our way through the Western Quadrant of Celestiala. Unlike the areas of the city we normally visited, this part of Celestiala felt considerably different.
The streets were cleaner, the buildings were larger, and the sidewalks were wide enough that people could walk without constantly bumping into one another. Tall buildings surrounded us, their windows reflecting the evening sunlight as merchants and wealthy civilians moved between expensive stores and restaurants.
Even the clothing people wore seemed different. Most of the people walking around here were dressed in formal attire, with expensive coats, dresses, breast pockets, and accessories that I couldn't even begin to guess the price of.
Toho looked around before whistling.
"Man, we're definitely not in our usual part of town."
I glanced toward him and scoffed: "You're just realizing that?"
"I mean, I knew we were coming to the Western Quadrant. Everyone here looked like they could buy our dorm building."
I couldn't help but laugh quietly. The Western Quadrant of Celestiala easily spans over two hundred miles in diameter. It was an hour-and-fifteen-minute ride by train from the nearest station to the Academy. As impressive as its size was, it was actually the smallest Quadrant of Celestiala.
The Celestia Academy lies in the Central Quadrant, as does a majority of all other government buildings, such as the World Council's Headquarters. Numerous large districts are located in Central as well.
The majority of the Western Quadrant's land was filled with industrial factories and thick clouds of grey smoke; however, the upper districts of the Quadrant were home to luxury cottages and entertainment venues.
After a brisk walk, we eventually reached the restaurant Johan had chosen for us.
The building itself was considerably larger than anything I had expected. Its exterior was made of polished stone and large glass windows, while several lanterns hung beside the entrance. Through the windows, I could see dozens of tables filled with people dressed in formal clothing.
Toho stopped beside me.
"Are you sure we're supposed to be here?"
I looked down at the message Johan had given us, triple-checking I had the address right. I respond briefly, my eyes narrowing skeptically, "This is the place."
"Johan is either really generous or secretly trying to bankrupt himself."
"Sensei's a retired Superior Sorcerer, the highest-ranking of them all. He was probably rolling in money, plus I bet a university like Celestia isn't paying them in bricks."
As we stepped through the entrance, a waiter greeted us almost immediately and asked whether we were with the group under Johan's name. After confirming our identities, he led us through the restaurant toward a table near the back. I immediately recognized everyone sitting there.
Terra was sitting beside Gia, while Julius sat across from them. They were already talking amongst themselves when Toho and I approached.
"There you two are," Gia said, looking toward us. "We were beginning to think you got lost."
Toho pulled out a chair.
"We almost did."
"You literally have the address," Terra shook her head.
I took the empty seat beside Toho, looking around the table.
It felt strange seeing everyone together again after the mission. Not because anything was wrong. If anything, it felt almost normal. For once, there wasn't an assignment waiting for us. No criminals, no civilians in danger, no injuries, and no pressure to prove ourselves. The only burden on us is our school life.
I scoffed inwardly. Perhaps I'm letting it get to my head. I've only been on two missions so far.
"Where's Johan?" I asked.
Julius pointed toward a folded piece of paper sitting in the center of the table.
"He left that."
If I had waited for Julius to have some manners toward me to pass the paper, I would have been waiting for eternity. Instead, I asked Terra to hand me the note. I unfolded the note, reading Sensei Johan's large handwriting.
"Sorry, students. I won't be able to attend tonight. I have a considerable number of tests to grade, and unfortunately, they aren't going to grade themselves."
Toho leaned over, reading the message over my shoulder.
"That's unfortunate," Toho clicked his tongue in disappointment.
"Consider this dinner a reward for your work in Gotarum. You all handled yourselves well, despite the circumstances. Enjoy yourselves tonight. You deserve it." At the bottom was Johan's signature.
I placed the note back on the table, my hand movements slow and sulky. It was unfortunate he wasn't here; I was really hoping to talk to someone like him for guidance. "So he really isn't coming."
"Apparently not," Terra said. She closed the menu brochure as her eyes lit up, "I have an idea! Let's make sure to properly express our gratitude tomorrow for this dinner tomorrow. Let's make him a fruit basket, maybe?"
Toho chimed in, "That's not a bad idea. You and Gia should draft a nice letter while Zero and I head out to buy the fruit. Julius, you aren't very useful, so just be you."
Julius scoffed dramatically, his eyes widening, "Says the one who needed my help during Gotarum because you couldn't hold your own."
Toho and Julius sparked their argument, a common occurrence, until the food arrived.
My plate held a thick slice of Veyran roast, tender meat covered in a dark, sweet Marlowe glaze, alongside golden Sorra potatoes roasted until their edges were crisp. A small serving of Lunet greens rested beside them, lightly seasoned and mixed with thin slices of Dwenchs, giving the dish a subtle sweetness.
Warm Krell bread was served in a basket between us, its soft center steaming when torn apart. None of it looked overly extravagant, but every part of the meal had been prepared with such care that I immediately understood why this restaurant cost more than the places we normally ate at.
Our conversation continued while we ate. Most of it consisted of small talk about the mission, our classes, and what everyone had been doing during the three days since we returned. It was nothing particularly important, but after everything that had happened in Gotarum, I appreciated having an evening when we could simply sit together without worrying about what would happen next.
However, there was something I had to do. Something I agreed upon the previous day.
Terra was quietly listening to Julius and Gia talk, occasionally adding something to their conversation. She seemed more comfortable around everyone now than she had been when we first met, although I could still remember the hesitation in her voice when I'd asked her the question yesterday.
Yesterday I asked her if she wanted to join our team permanently, or at least for the time being. I wasn't going to pressure her into staying permanently, even though I wanted her to.
Terra hadn't answered immediately. She had looked away for several seconds, clearly thinking about it before eventually agreeing. Even after she accepted, I could tell she wasn't completely certain about her decision. I couldn't blame her.
From what I could deduce, her hesitation stemmed from the fact that she originally wanted to create her own team; however, she wasn't sure of her leadership abilities. She's also afraid of becoming a burden to any teammate if she were to join a team.
Joining a team wasn't something I wanted to treat lightly. We had already seen what could happen when a mission went wrong. Gotarum had been proof of that. We had all been injured, exhausted, and separated from one another at different points throughout the mission.
If Terra joined us, she wouldn't simply be another student who happened to fight beside us. She would become someone we depended on. Someone who could eventually depend on us. That was why I had told her that I would make it official tonight.
I looked around the table again.
Toho was arguing with Julius about something involving the food while Gia tried to explain why they were both wrong. Terra sat quietly beside her, occasionally laughing at their argument.
For some reason, seeing the four of them together made the decision feel more real.
I leaned back in my chair and waited until the conversation naturally died down before speaking.
"Actually, there was something I wanted to bring up tonight."
Everyone's attention gradually shifted toward me.
Toho looked at me curiously, while Julius leaned back in his chair. Gia stopped eating, and Terra immediately seemed to realize what I was about to say. Her lips curled upward.
I glanced at her for a moment before turning my attention toward the rest of them.
"We were all impressed with Terra and her performance. She was supposed to attend this mission and choose whether to create her own team or join one... Yesterday, I asked Terra if she'd be willing to join our team."
All eyes turned towards Terra, making her slightly embarrassed; she lowered her eyes toward the table. "I already told him I'd join," she said quietly. "I just... wasn't sure at first."
Julius looked toward her, then smiled.
"Well, I don't see a problem with it. We're welcome to have you, fair lady Terra."
Gia squealed as she embraced Terra, "Oh, thank the Father!"
Toho congratulated Terra across the table while Julius muttered, "Copycat," to himself.
There was still one thing left to say. I placed my hands on the table and looked around at everyone. "Then it's settled. Terra Kincaid is officially joining our team."
For a moment, I simply looked at the four people sitting around me.
Toho had been my closest friend my entire life. Julius and Gia had joined us more recently, but they had already proven themselves during our missions. And now Terra was sitting among us as well.
Five people. Five Sorcerers who were still learning what it meant to become one.
I didn't know how long we'd stay together or what kind of missions we'd eventually face. I didn't know whether we'd always agree with one another, or whether there would come a day when one of us had to make a decision that changed everything.
But for now, none of that mattered.